If Vladimir Putin had his way, he'd probably pull the plug on CNBC in an effort to stop the media from making a really bad financial situation worse. He'd certainly pull the plug on the program trading software that many believe drives the price of stocks like a drunken driver.
Inasmuch as too many of us, instead of focusing on being productive, are probably sitting in front of TV screens watching the financial market meltdown, like a deer staring into the headlights, and busy calculating the mounting losses to our businesses, and more importantly--the damage to our life savings, the fact is that no single person (not even Hank Paulson or John McCain) can change the course of events that are unfolding.
However, and barring the world coming to an end--which I don't believe is a likely outcome, this is a rare opportunity for leaders and entrepreneurs to position themselves and to focus not on what they're losing, but on how to be proactive, positive and innovative. According to my very wise father, who is now trading above 83, and a fellow that has lived through 7 decades of financial market ups and downs from his catbird seat on the floor of major stock exchanges, "Its always darkest before the dawn."
Perhaps not an original statement, but one that should resonate with marketers, brand managers, and business operators. This is the time to initiate strategies that capture the confidence of employees, partners, clients and customers. This is the time for entrepreneurs to focus on products/services and technologies that deliver cost savings and more efficient business processes. This is the time for branding, PR, and investor relations messages that inspire and provide assurance and credibility. This is the time for coopetition, and crisp, clear, concise and believable messages.
This is the time to position yourself as a confident leader--with that, you'll be protecting the morale of your most valuable sales people--which includes everyone that works in your company--and your most valued customers. An expert on that topic is LeadershipIQ's Mark Murphy; his guidance and counsel has proven invaluable to companies of all sizes, including Fortune 50's.
There are hundreds of innovators and smart solution providers--a handful are profiled at JLC Group's website--and finding the solutions--whether its objective analysis, creative sales approaches, or efficient technologies merely requires solid research and thoughtful and comprehensive evaluation.
Sure, we're all going to be adjusting, tightening belts, and re-evaluating what we consume and how we consume it. But as economic fear permeates throughout our homes and workplaces, perhaps like few other times in our modern history, save for the 1930's, my Dad has also always said, "This too shall pass..". And he's got an amazing track record for being right.
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